Juventus will move for Real Madrid defender Pepe if they fail to sign Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva next summer, reports Tuttosport, via Football Italia.
The Serie A champions have already confirmed they are weighing up a move for Silva when his contract expires next summer as they eye another Andrea Pirlo-esque Bosman move.
However, their hopes of signing the PSG captain have been dashed after he reiterated his desire to sign a new deal with the Ligue 1 champions, leaving Juventus to look at alternative defenders.
While Max Allegri’s side retain hope in signing Silva, they are reportedly now considering a move for Madrid defender Pepe, who has also entered the final year of his existing deal.
The 33-year-old has dropped down the pecking order this season at Madrid but has also confirmed he wants to retire at Madrid, which does not bode well for Juventus’ pursuit of the Euro 2016 winner, who has also been nominated for the 2016 Ballon d’Or.
Pepe has seemingly carried on his Euro 2016 form into the new season, despite only starting five of Madrid’s nine league games. In fact, his WhoScored rating of 7.40 is his best since the 2013/14 campaign (7.42).
For more stats on Pepe, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
